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Religion has a place in the modern state
There is some truth in the narrative that you cannot have separation of Church and state without separating your personal religious opinion from your duties as a citizen.
We continually reprimand the Muslim world for confusing politics with religion, bringing often corrupted versions of Sharia law to bear on residents of their countries.
You have a right to be a conscientious objector. You do not have the right to impose your belief system on another human being.
The debate on abortion and the future difficult debates on end-of-life care should be about what we, as a society, feel is best for our citizens, rather than some personal fear of hell.
There is a place for both religion and the modern state. It is a line many of our citizens walk easily each day.
PAULINE BLEACH
New South Wales, Australia
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